But this week golf fans will finally see the head-to-head match-up they have been waiting for when Rory McIlroy takes on Tiger Woods at the World Golf Final in Turkey.

And Woods goes into the event with a point to prove as it was revealed he said sorry to America’s Ryder Cup rookies after his disappointing display last week as Europe secured the trophy in Chicago.

Woods won just half a point during the event, in singles, after losing all three of his matches with Steve Stricker.

He said: “I had a chance to earn three points in team sessions but I did not do that. It was tough.

“Stricks and I went out there and tried to earn points for the team and couldn’t do that and it was frustrating. If we could have earned a couple of points it would have been a good lead going into Sunday’s singles.”

World No.1 McIlroy and world No.2 Woods were kept apart in Chicago last week but have been drawn in the same group for the eight-man event this week in Turkey with a first prize of £935,000 at stake.

Former Masters champ Charl Schwartzel and Matt Kuchar complete group one with Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan and US Open champion Webb Simpson in group two of the event which is not part of the US or European Tour.

The format is head-to-head strokeplay matches with the Woods/McIlroy clash set to be played tomorrow.

McIlroy said: “It’s something I’m looking forward to.

“This will be the first match we have played head to head and I’d really like to win.

“I haven’t touched a club since the Ryder Cup so I am going to get to the course early to hit a few balls and see if it’s still there. And I’ll make sure I am in the right time zone!”

Meanwhile, Darren Clarke has thrown his hat into the ring for the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2014 at Gleneagles

Clarke, one of Jose Maria Olazabal’s vice-captain for the Europeans in Chicago, said: “I’d jump at the opportunity as it’s the biggest honour for a player on the European Tour.”